Cover for the diaper genie TM or other lidded pail or container

ABSTRACT

A cover ( 10 ) for a lidded container or pail that is decorative, removable for cleaning, and effective at helping improve the appearance of a typically unsightly object, a garbage or diaper pail. The cover is especially intended for use with the Diaper Genie™ (Playtex Corporation, New Jersey, (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,869,049 for complete, detailed description of the pail to be used in the preferred embodiment, the Diaper Genie™, David Richards, Brian Ward and Maurice Williams, United Kingdom, issued Sep. 26, 1989)) brand diaper pail, and provides a means for parents to include the diaper pail in their nursery decorating schemes.  
     The preferred embodiment is for the cover to transform the appearance of the pail into that of a large stuffed animal, such as a teddy bear. The teddy bear&#39;s head ( 70 ) would attach to the top of the lid cover ( 72 ) or be an integral part of it. The pail cover ( 20 ) would be shaped to imitate a bathrobe, complete with stuffed arms ( 74 ), collar ( 76 ), belt ( 78 ) and bathrobe pockets ( 79 ) attached to it to make it look like a teddy. The lid cover ( 40 ) could be made to look like a cravat (neck kerchief). The materials and stuffing for the teddy bear&#39;s head ( 70 ) would be as lightweight as possible, to prevent the weight of the pail lid cover from making the lid difficult to open or shut. The simplest version of the invention involves a one-piece cover made of a highly elastic textile that requires no sewing nor any attachment means to cover a lidded container, and potentially to be made of an insulating material.  
     Options include the following: the lid cover ( 40 ) could contain a music box that starts to play when the pail is opened; the pail cover ( 20 ) which envelops the main body of the pail could be stuffed to add roundness or other shape (to make a teddy bear&#39;s belly, for example); the pail cover ( 20 ) could include a pocket ( 80 ) that would hold a refill cartridge for the Diaper Genie™ or a dispenser of garbage bags; the fabrics or materials used to make the cover—or a lining for the cover—could be odor proof, filtering, scented, or deodorizing; or the lid cover ( 40 ) could include a means for attaching another object, such as a stuffed animal, toy or decorative object, that the user could attach as they pleased.

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] This invention is a cover for a lidded container or liddedgarbage pail and for the Diaper Genie™ (patent held by Playtex Products,Inc., 75 Commerce Drive, Alendale, N.J.) and similar diaper pails.

[0003] 2. Description of Prior Art

[0004] While a few designs have been patented for covers for containersand pails, there has not been one that will work to cover a container orpail with a lid. For people wishing to disguise trash pails that havepedals that pop the lid open for easy disposal of trash, there has beenno option to date. In particular, there has been no design that wouldwork for a self-sealing/diaper encasing pail such as the Diaper Genie™.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,821, a Container Cover patented by Bradley,Jr, Jun. 7, 1994, could not be used to cover a bin with a lid; it wouldnot allow easy access to the bin itself since the lid would be preventedfrom being opened by the accessory.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,216,620, a Flower Pot Wrap with Lace PatternEdging, patent issued to Weder et al. Aug. 12, 1980, would serve only tocover the outside of a pail, and would not cover a lid. Moreover, itwould not remain fixed in place firmly enough for the rugged use a pailwould undergo.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,567, “Bathroom Accessories,” Nov. 24, 1992,R. A. Briggs & Company, Robert Orlando and Jeffrey Richardson, whileeffectively providing for the decoration of a number of pail types,would unfortunately inhibit the placement of a lid, since the portion ofthe cover that holds it in place is located inside the rim of the pail,and also is somewhat bulky and would not allow for the quick and easyplacement of a lid on the pail. Also, it does not provide for a coverfor a lid.

[0008] Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,229, issued Oct. 8, 1996, inventedby Edward Callahan and applied for by Abernathy, Bernstein and Callahan,for a Decorative Receptacle with Removable Cover, is both a pail and acover. The cover works only with the patented pail, which would requirethose wanting to cover their existing pails to instead have to purchasean entirely new pail and cover combination. Furthermore, the receptacledoes not provide for a lid to retain odors. The lid cannot be flipped upwith a pedal. The receptacle and cover's appearance and materials limitthe ability of the cover to be decorated.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

[0009] Parents preparing nurseries for their babies are extraordinarilyinterested in properly decorating their child's room. They often buysets of decorative items that are all in the same fabric or theme,including such items as comforters, lamp shades, diaper stackers, andcrib bumpers.

[0010] Millions of households own diaper pails, and the majority ofthese diaper pails are the Diaper Genie™ brand diaper pail (U.S. Pat.No. 4,869,049). This pail is unique in that the diaper is inserted to acertain point in the pail, where it is surrounded by a long continuousflexible tube of plastic, at which time it is then rotated, therebyencasing the diaper in its own “sausage casing” of tubular plastic,twist-sealed at either end; it then falls to the bottom of the pail.This special pail drastically reduces odors, and has resulted in thetremendous popularity of the Diaper Genie™ pail. Similarly, there aretraditional diaper pails with hinged lids that do not possess elaboratecasing mechanisms.

[0011] It would be of great interest to new parents to be able to buy acover for the Diaper Genie™ (or any similar diaper pail), perhaps in afabric or theme matching that of their nursery, to help make it lessconspicuous and to blend in with the rest of the décor.

[0012] Alternatively, they may like the novelty of having an amusingcover to their diaper pail. Similarly, people in general might like toimprove the appearance of their kitchen garbage pails by putting a coveron them.

[0013] To this end, it is an object of the present invention to providea pail cover that allows the Diaper Genie™ or other pail or containerwith lid to be decoratively covered.

[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide acontainer or pail cover that is readily detachable and easily washableor which is disposable, or portions of which are washable or disposable.

[0015] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pailcover that allows for a multitude of options for decoration, and for thecustomization of the decoration by the user with his or her own items.

[0016] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pailcover that retains odors that might otherwise escape from the pail.

[0017] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pailcover that filters escaping odors through a charcoal filter.

[0018] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pailcover that contains a pocket to conveniently hold a refill cartridge orbox of plastic bags for the pail.

[0019] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pailcover that provides entertainment, via music, to babies while theirdiapers are being changed.

[0020] It is a further object of the present invention to provide acontainer cover that insulates the container from heat and cold.

[0021] To these and other ends, the present invention broadly envisionsproviding a lidded pail cover comprising a fabric tube pail cover thatconforms to the body of the pail and a cover that conforms to the lid ofthe pail, without interfering with the removal or opening of the lid.The lidded pail cover can be used to cover pails that do or do not havehinges and which do or do not have locking mechanisms. Holes will be cutout of the lid cover and the pail cover as needed to preventinterference with hinges, locking mechanisms, release buttons, levers,or pedals that may be present, depending upon the type of pail orcontainer.

[0022] The pail cover will have attachment means, such as Velcro™(Velcro USA, Manchester, N.H.) strips (a plurality of flexible hookfasteners that mate with a plurality of flexible loop fasteners),located at one end on its inside surface that will communicate withmating attachment means that can be affixed to the upper outside surfaceof the pail. The pail cover will be attached near enough to the top ofthe pail so that the pail is effectively covered, but not so close tothe top as to interfere with the placement of the lid on the pail.

[0023] The lid cover will primarily be held in place by an elastic bandwhich is sewn to its edges so that when placed over the lid its shapeconforms to it. The force of the elastic holds it in place underneaththe lid where it cannot be seen when the lid is in place on the pail.The elastic will pull the fabric taught so that the bulk of the fabricdoes not interfere with the closure of the pail; when in place, theelastic of the lid cover will be located toward the center of the underside of the lid. Slits, holes and darts may be located as necessary toavoid interference with hinges and locking mechanisms, to conform to theshape of the object to be covered, and to reduce the bulk of the fabricto prevent interference. The lid cover optionally will have attachmentmeans located on its inside surface, such as velcro strips, that willcommunicate with mating attachment means that can be affixed to theoutside surface of the lid to more sturdily hold it in place.

[0024] Preferably, the lid cover will be made of an elasticized fabricsuch as Lycra™ (Dupont Corp., Wilmington, Del.) blended with velour, inorder to reduce the bulk of the cover, to prevent interference with theclosing of the pail and to have an attractive appearance. In allembodiments, vents or slits, holes, or darts may be made in the lid andpail covers to better enable them to be put in place, to allow foreasier removal, or to better fit, depending upon the construction of thelidded pail.

[0025] In a first embodiment, the pail cover covers acylindrically-shaped pail, in which case the lid cover will be shapedfrom a circular panel. In a second embodiment, the pail cover covers arectangular-shaped pail, in which case the lid cover will be shaped froma rectangular panel. In a third embodiment, the pail cover includes apocket into which a refill cartridge for the Diaper Genie™ can be placedfor storage, or which can hold trash bags to replace fill bags that haveto be removed from the pail. A fourth embodiment includes the additionof lining the pail cover with a sheet of charcoal filter paper or filterpaper such as Filtrete™ (3M Corporation, Valencia, Calif.) to filter airthat may escape from the pail, thus reducing odors. A fifth embodimentincludes the attachment of a battery-operated music box to the pailcover or to the lid cover, which is activated by opening the pail. Whenthe pail is opened, the opening of the lid forces a button on the musicbox against the pail, activating it so that it plays through once. Thelid does not need to remain open for the music to continue; once the“musical piece” is over, the music box automatically shuts off until thenext time the pail is opened. The music box may be deactivated; suchmusic boxes are commercially available.

[0026] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of thepresent invention will become apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used toidentify the same or similar parts in the several views.

DRAWING FIGURES

[0027]FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,with lid partially opened;

[0029]FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 andFIG. 2;

[0030]FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view, from above, of the lidcover of the embodiment of FIG. 1

[0031]FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view, from below, of the lidcover of the embodiment of FIG. 1

[0032]FIG. 6 is a side elevation of an alternative embodiment of theinvention.

[0033]FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the preferred embodiment of theinvention.

[0034]FIG. 8 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of theinvention as it would appear ring the Diaper Genie™ brand diaper pail.

[0035]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the simplest embodiment of theinvention.

[0036]FIG. 10 is a front view of another embodiment of the invention.

[0037]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a embodiment of the invetion forcovering a lidded container with a handle.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

[0038]10 cover

[0039]20 pail cover

[0040]21 panel

[0041]22 seam

[0042]24 optional gathering or pleating

[0043]26 base

[0044]28 hem

[0045]30 hem stitching

[0046]34 pail opening

[0047]36 Velero™ strip

[0048]40 lid cover

[0049]42 lip

[0050]44 hinge area

[0051]46 circular panel

[0052]48 circular panel edge

[0053]50 elastic strip

[0054]52 optional gathering or pleating on lid cover

[0055]54 darts

[0056]56 hinge slits

[0057]57 location of lid release button

[0058]58 rectangular slot

[0059]60 Velcro™ strip on inside surface of lid cover

[0060]62 notch for pedal

[0061]64 locking mechanism area

[0062]70 head of a toy stuffed animal

[0063]72 Velcro™ square

[0064]74 sleeve

[0065]75 cravat

[0066]76 collar

[0067]78 self-tie belt

[0068]79 bathrobe pockets

[0069]80 pocket

[0070]82 narrow strip of fabric

[0071]84 pocket hem

[0072]86 rectangular piece of fabric

[0073]90 music box

[0074]92 activation switch

[0075]100 Diaper Genie™

[0076]140 lid cap

[0077]142 knot in lid cap

[0078]144 lid cap stitching

[0079]146 slit for container handle

[0080]150 container handle

DESCRIPTION

[0081] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, the invention in the form there shown isembodied in a cover 10 for a lidded pail, comprising a pail cover 20 anda lid cover 40. The pail cover, best seen in FIG. 1, is a tube of anysuitable washable fabric (e.g., woven cloth), open at the top andbottom, and is shaped and dimensioned to receive a pail in surrounding,generally conforming relation to the side walls thereof. It includes afabric wall panel 21 whose side edges are stitched together at seam 22(FIG. 3), so as to constitute a tube. As indicated at 24 (FIG. 1), thefabric of the wall may be gathered or pleated. The vertical dimension ofthe wall panel, measured upwardly from the base 26 is approximately thesame as that of the pail it is to cover, measured from the pail's baseup to the point where the pail joins the pail lid.

[0082] Velcro™ (Velcro USA, Manchester, N.H.) strips 36 (FIG. 2) aremounted within or on a hem 28 formed by folding the top margin of wallpanel 21 downwardly and inwardly around the entire periphery of the topopening of the tube shaped pail cover 20, and stitching as indicated at30. The periphery of the top opening of the tube shaped pail cover 20 isslightly greater that the outer circumference of the pail opening.Mating Velcro™ strips are affixed to the body of the pail near and belowthe point where the pail joins the pail lid and in registration with themating attachment means 36 on the pail cover. Other joining materialsmay be used instead of Velcro™, such as snaps, double-sided sticky tape,plastic clips, glue, or a strip of elastic run through the hem 28.Depending upon the shape of the pail opening 34, the upper hem may needto be contoured or may need to be narrower or wider in some places inorder to conform to the periphery of the pail opening, such as toaccommodate an overlapping lip 42 (FIG. 3) on the lid, or to accommodatehinges where a lid attaches to a pail 44, or to accommodate rods thatmight be part of the pail which are activated from a pedal at the frontbase of the pail so as to act on a pail hinge located near 44 to flipopen the lid. The pail cover may have a notch for pedal 62 (FIG. 1) toallow access to a pedal that would activate the flip top action of apail. The notch for pedal 62 would be made by cutting a notch in thebottom edge of the fabric wall panel 21 prior to finishing the base edgewith a stitched hem.

[0083] The lid cover, best seen in FIG. 4, is a circular shape of anysuitable washable fabric (preferably of elasticized fabric, such as aLycra™ blend (DuPont Corporation, Wilmington, Del.)), open at thebottom, and is shaped and dimensioned to receive a pail lid insurrounding, generally conforming relation to the top, bottom and sidewalls thereof To this end, using a stretchy fabric such as Lycra™simplifies fitting the lid cover to the lid, and more importantly allowsfor any lock release button 57, that may be located on the pail lid, tobe depressed. If one did not use a stretchy fabric, the tension of anon-stretchy fabric, such as cotton, could inhibit the user from beingable to depress a lid release button in order to open the lid.

[0084] The lid cover includes a roughly circular panel 46 whose edges 48(FIG. 5) are stitched to a strip of elastic 50, such as is done whenmaking a shower cap, so as to constitute a lid cover 40. As indicated at52, the fabric of the lid cover may be gathered or pleated. The diameterof the lid cover 40, is approximately the same as the diameter of thepail lid. Depending upon the type of lid to be covered, the lid covermay need to be shaped to conform to the periphery of the lid to enhanceits appearance or to prevent interference with the opening or closing ofthe lid.

[0085] For example, to accommodate a lip 42 (FIG. 3), darts would needto be made in the circular panel 46 as shown at 54 (FIG. 5). Toaccommodate a pail hinge area 44 (FIG. 3), hinge slits 56 (FIG. 5) wouldneed to be cut out of the circular panel 46. The edges of these slitsmay be sewn to a strip of elastic to prevent the fabric from interferingwith the operation of the hinges. It may be necessary to dismantle thepail hinge in order to place the lid cover correctly in place, whichrequires simply unsnapping the hinge on the Diaper Genie™. Otherwise,additional slits and closures may need to be added to allow the lidcover to be placed around a hinge without interference. To accommodate alocking mechanism area 64 (FIG. 2), where a mechanism may be located ona pail to hold the lid shut, a rectangular slot 58 (FIG. 5) would needto be cut out of the circular panel 46. The edges of this slot may besewn to a strip of elastic to prevent the fabric from interfering withthe operation of the locking mechanism. A strip of Velcro™ is affixed tothe inside surface of the lid cover 60, to hold it firmly yet removablyin place on the lid. A mating strip of Velcro™ would be affixed to thepail lid itself in registration with the Velcro™ on the lid cover.

[0086] When it is desired to remove the cover 10 (FIG. 1) from thelidded pail, the attachment means, such as at 36 (FIG. 2) and at 60(FIG. 5), are simply pulled apart manually from the mating attachmentmeans on the pail and lid. For lidded pails with hinges, in order toremove the lid cover one may need to first unlock the locking mechanism,if there is one, and then undo the hinges attaching the lid to the pail(For example, on the Diaper Genie brand patented pail, these hinges maybe snapped out of attachment with the pail, then reattached withoutdifficulty). The lid cover's elastic strips 50 should then be stretchedoutwards past the edges of the lid until the lid is uncovered. Next, thepail may now be pulled out of the pail cover so that the cover may belaundered and remounted on the container by the procedure alreadydescribed. In this way, the cover may easily be maintained in anattractively clean and sanitary condition.

[0087] Ordinarily the cover fabric will be colored or printed with adesign, for example a fabric color or design also used on curtains,bedding, etc. If it is desired to change the decor, such as upon thebirth of another child, the cover may simply be replaced with a newcover having a new color or design.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 6, the invention in the form there shown is anembodiment which includes the pocket 80 and music box 90 features asthey might appear for a rectangularly shaped garbage pail with a hingedlid. The pocket 80 is made of a long narrow strip of fabric 82 sewn tothree edges of a rectangular piece of fabric 86. The unstitched fourthedge of the rectangular piece of fabric 86, along with the unfinishedends of the narrow strip of fabric 82 is then folded over and stitchedin place to form a hem 84. The music box 90 is affixed to the back ofthe lid cover 40 and is activated to play a song when an activationswitch 92 is triggered by the action of opening the lid; as the lid isopened the music box activation switch 92 moves closer to the body ofthe pail to a point where it eventually hits the back of the pail,depressing the activation switch 92, causing the music box to play.

[0089] Referring to FIG. 7, the invention in the form there shown is thepreferred embodiment of the invention. The head of a stuffed animal 70is affixed to the top of the lid via a large velcro square located onthe bottom of the head at 72, the mate being affixed either to the lidcover 40 or to the lid of the pail. If the head were to be attacheddirectly to the lid of the pail, it would be necessary to cut a squarehole in the lid cover 40 at 72.

[0090] The pail cover 20 is modified into the shape of a bathrobe, andsleeves that are stuffed with filling 74 to make them look like armshave been stitched directly onto the fabric of the pail cover. Thesestuffed arms 74 are stitched to look as though the hands are insertedinto the bathrobe pockets 79. A collar 76, cravat 75 and fabric self-tiebelt 78, such as are found on bathrobes, are respectively stitched andtied round the pail cover 20. FIG. 8 shows the preferred embodiment ofthe invention in a front view, indicating in dotted lines the locationof the Diaper Genie™ 100 as it would appear beneath the cover 10.

[0091] An alternative embodiment, and perhaps the simplest, involves aneoprene tube, or other highly elastic textile, which is cut somewhatlonger than to the same length as the height of the pail which it willcover. Next, a cut is made in the cylinder so that the edges of the cutconform to the outline of the opening between the lid and the pail. Thearea where the pail hinge 44 (FIG. 9) is located is left uncut. Theexcess fabric at the top of the tube must be long enough to allow for itto be gathered and knotted 142, or crimped and held together by a pieceof string or other gathering means, thus closing the opening of the topend of the tube. No further work is required to create the cover. To fitthe cover over the pail, simply stretch it and place it over the pail sothat the edges of the pail match up with the edges of the cover. Thehinges will be covered by the flap which connects the lid and pailportions of the cover. Whether the pail be circular, oval or rectangularin shape, the cover, due to its elasticity, will conform to its profile.Simply insert the pail through the bottom opening of the cover incorrect alignment with the cover 10. It may be easiest to wait until thecontainer is inserted into the tube to gather and knot or crimp the topend of the tube 142.

[0092] An alternative embodiment of the simplest version involves aneoprene tube which is cut to the same length as the height of the pailwhich it will cover. Next, a cut is made in the cylinder so that theedges of the cut conform to the outline of the opening between the lidand the pail. The area where the pail hinge 44 is located is left uncut.Afterwards, a lid cap top 148 (FIG. 11) is cut from a piece of neopreneto conform to the top, rather flat surface of the lid. This lid cap top148 is simply stitched 144 or bonded via adhesive, rubber webbing plusadhesive and heat (in the manner used to make surf booties), to theopening on the top end of the lid cap 140. A slit 146 for a containerhandle 150 may be cut out of the lid cap top 148 to allow access to andfree movement of the handle 150. The elasticized fabric may haveinsulating properties, such as neoprene does, that keep the contents ofthe container at a more stable temperature than without the cover.

[0093] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to thefeatures and embodiments herein above specifically set forth, but may becarried out in other ways without departure from its spirit.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE OF INVENTION

[0094] The reader will see that the decorative covering for the DiaperGenie™ Playtex Corporation, New Jersey) or other lidded diaper,container or trash pail provides a means for integrating the object intoone's home decor, a means for camouflaging a trash or diaper pail, apotential means for further eliminating odors, and a method for makingthe object easy to clean Oust remove the cover and launder it!).

[0095] While the above description contains many specificities, theseshould not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention,but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereofMany other variations are possible. For example: the lid cover couldcontain a music box that starts to play when the pail is opened; theportion of the cover which envelops the main body of the pail could bestuffed to add roundness or other shape (to make a teddy bear's belly,for example); the cover could include a pocket that would hold a refillcartridge for the Diaper Genie™; the fabrics or materials used to makethe cover—or a lining for the cover—could be odor proof, or scented, ordeodorizing, or plastic; or the lid cover could include a means forattaching another object, such as a stuffed animal, toy or decorativeobject, that the user could attach as they pleased; the pail cover couldbe made to close at the bottom, underneath the pail, to completelyenclose the entire pail to help escape of any odors. Accordingly, thescope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims andtheir legal equivalents, not by the embodiment(s) illustrated.

I claim:
 1. A Cover for a Lidded Container comprising: a textile tubefor covering a container with lid or a diaper pail with lid, said tubehaving a top and a bottom and conforming to the side wall shape of thecontainer, and having an extension which is a shorter textile tubehaving a top and a bottom and conforming to the side wall shape of thelid, the end of the tube being knotted so as form a stocking-cap typecover to cover the top of the lid, made of a fabric of sufficientresiliency, such as neoprene, that the elasticity of the fabric itselfholds the cover in place on the container and cover;
 2. A Cover for aLidded Container comprising: a textile sheath for covering a containerwith lid or a diaper pail with lid, said sheath having a top and abottom and conforming to the side wall shape of the container; retainingmeans to affix the sheath to the container; a textile cap for covering acontainer lid or a diaper pail lid, that is either a separate piece ofmaterial or that is an extension of the sheath, and which covers the lidof the container, allowing for the lid to be freely opened or closed.retaining means to affix the container lid cap to the lid.
 3. Acontainer cover according to claim 2, further including: retaining meansto affix the cap to the lid comprises elastic attached to the cap,perhaps running along the entire opening edge or edges, such as a showercap, holding the cap in place on the container or pail lid;
 4. Acontainer cover according to claim 2, wherein: a hole in the lid capallows for the locking mechanisms on the container lid to communicatewith the mating locking mechanism of the container.
 5. A container coveraccording to claim 2, wherein: the hole in the lid cap is lined withelastic or has a retaining means to prevent interference between thefabric of the lid cover and the locking mechanism of the container.
 6. Acontainer cover according to claim 2, wherein: the sheath and lid capmay be lined with filter sheets to inhibit escape of odors.
 7. Acontainer cover according to claim 2, wherein: a decorative pieceattached to the top of the container via a hole in the lid cap or to thelid cap via a retaining means such as a large piece of sticky-backVelcro™ (owned by Velcro USA, Manchester, N.H., multiple interlockingtextile hooks and loops).
 8. A container cover according to claim 2,wherein: there is a music box affixed to the sheath or the lid cap whichis activated by the action of opening the lid.
 9. A container coveraccording to claim 2, wherein: there is a means for creating anair-tight seal at the top and/or bottom ends of the sheath and the lidcap to prevent escape of odors;
 10. A container cover according to claim2, wherein: there is a slot or pocket or other attachment or holdingmeans for the placement of a charcoal filter at the bottom end of thesheath to absorb escaping odors;
 11. A container cover according toclaim 2, wherein: there is a textile means for closing the opening atthe bottom of the sheath to prevent escape of odors.
 12. A containercover according to claim 2, wherein: there is a pocket or slot forholding a refill cartridge for the Diaper Genie™ diaper pail, or forother items such as a box of garbage bags, on the middle portion of thesheath.
 13. A cover adapted to cover a pail that has a lid, both the lidand the pail having inner and outer surfaces, and the lid being attachedby a hinge to the pail (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,869,049 for complete,detailed description of the pail to be used in the preferred embodiment,the Diaper Genie™, David Richards, Brian Ward and Maurice Williams,United Kingdom, issued Sep. 26, 1989), and the lid and the pail having alocking mechanism, which is released by pressing a button on the lid,said cover comprising: a flexible, fabric covering adapted to conform tothe outer surface of the side wall of the container for completelycovering the outer surface of the side wall and attaching to the upperrim of such pail, and a flexible fabric covering, optionally contiguousto the covering adapted to conform to the outer surface of the pail lidfor completely covering the outer surface of the lid, while allowing thelid to open at the hinge and allowing the lid release button to bepressed, and the lid to be reclosed without interference; fastener meansattached to said flexible cover for the body of the pail and disposedalong at least one end of said flexible covering for selectively andnon-permanently attaching cover for the body of the pail to the pailbody; fastener means attached to said flexible cover for the lid andplaced on at least one end of said flexible covering for selectively andnon-permanently attaching cover for the lid to the lid.
 14. The cover ofclaim 13 wherein: said fastener means includes Velcro (Velcro USA, Inc.,Manchester, N.H.) (multiple interlocking textile hooks and loops). 15.The container decorative cover of claim 13 and further including:attachment means located on the exterior surface of the lid cover forselectively and non-permanently attaching decorative objects to the lid.16. The cover of claim 15 wherein said attachment means includes Velcro(multiple interlocking textile hooks and loops).